Little Old Pony - Decision Time?

Just been through this with my old boy, he became the second chance king, it also became very obvious to me when to call it a day.

You will know when it's time, until then love her and enjoy her.
 
What an adorable pony! Like the others I would say don't rush into making any decisions, take each day as it comes and you will know when the time is right. I know it sounds ridiculous but having been through the decision myself with my old horse you will know from her behaviour when she is ready to go to sleep. As long as she seems content and you are happy to look after her as you clearly are then let her continue, she still looks happy, just a little thin as you would expect for an oldie at this time of year.
 
I know exactly what you are going through as I had to make this decision last week for my 13yo Irish TB
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who had arthritic changes in his spine and possibly hocks too. He had gone down hill rapidly and although he was eating he wasn't maintaining weight anymore
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and I always said I wouldn't keep him if he was in pain. The days before Tuesday he was getting uncomfortable on 2 Bute a day
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It was such a hard decision but I know deep down it was the right one even though it doesn't seem like it at times
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You know whats best for your pony and only you can make the decision
Good luck and feel free to pm me if you want to chat
 
I know exactly how you are feeling hun.

I have a very old 15.3hh Anglo Arab, who we think is in his middle to late 40's.

He is very happy in himself, but is bloody hard to keep any weight on!

He lives out 24/7 and had an upside down clip this year (belly was left on, but everything else was clipped out) He always gets Lice and has a horrible long itchy coat. So, I whipped it off this year and he has done well without it.

About 2 weeks ago, I was ready to have him put down based on his condition! He had a sore on his withers from the weight of his rugs and although ribby (which is normal for him) I could feel the last 2 back bones by his tail!

I decided to whip his rugs off because of the sore (and the fact I couldn't get anything to stick over and stay on). He has improved every day since!

Had his teeth done last week and he has at least 3 loose on the top. Decisson was made not to touch them, as think it will be his down fall! Bottoms were floated and should make life a bit easier for him.

Because he can't eat his hay or haylage so well now (if he decided to eat it at all) I put him on Top Spec Fibre Plus and I am so pleased with it. I really don't think he would have made it through winter without the stuff.

So, we will see how he goes. I will just keep and eye on him and decide if and when I have too. I do think he will go through summer and then be put down before winter this year!
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It makes it all so hard when they are happy in themselves!!
 
Really heartened to see sooooo many positive comments.

Boodle already ticks practically all the boxes mentioned above and the only points I might add are ditto the wormers, which can be very harsh (pm me Boodle about having a count done if needs be) and a tip is to use an old pillow to keep the rug weight off prominent withers. Fix it just behind,to a vest to fill in the dip of the back. Had to do it myself a few years ago.

Her short 'depressions' may be nothing except tiredness due to her age and the effort of digestion.

Masses of brill advice on which feeds may help or suit and I'm cheered by everyone's confidence that you are NOT prolonging a miserable life here, but responsibly and (might I say) successfully managing an elderly friend to live her life out comfortably.

For a person of your tender age, I am blown away by your attention to detail, level of commitment and wiseness beyond your years.

I had to chuckle at the entirely sensible (but hardly necessary in your case) suggestion to photograph her regularly! *Lots*
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Hi Boodle
Sorry to hear you are having to consider this. I've had to do it once, and like everyone else says, I just knew. You will too. I agree with everyone else, yes she's thin but looks happy and is obviously loved and cared for. Give her a chance to feel the sun on her back again.

If it's any consolation, I'm just a bit east of you, and I keep looking at my 4yo TB and wondering when she's going to put the weight on again. And all the farmers are saying that nothing has been growing etc. Also remember that although your mare was on lots of grass over winter, there isn't much goodness in it at that time of year. If she won't eat much hay, then she is bound to lose condition. The grass IS growing now though, so fingers crossed she will perk up and fill out very soon. Just don't expect her to look like a baby again - she is old, so is bound to have a wrinkle or two
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Good luck for the summer.
 
If she is still happy then keep on going (as everybody else has already said!). We kept ours on soaked high fibre and stud cubes for years, soaked down to a porridge so the horrid pony could eat them.

he was always a cantankerous b*gger so when he finally stopped trying to kick/bite (or should I say gum?) us we knew it was time to go. I should say though - he did very well on his soaked cubes for years. he pretty much always looked underweight (until we started him on the soaked cubes) and was like that from when we got him - but as long as he was happy in his own way then we kept stuffing the food down him!

I think its good to have old horses a bit skinnier, as is less stress on their old joints - and is only what would happen in the wild.

I wouldn't worry about making the decision - it will become very obvious to you when she wants to go. but she looks fine, I wouldn't worry too much about the bones, if she is still getting nutrition and having fun then I think thats all good.
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Oh what a hard decision ..... however as others have said I would let her decide for you.

Have not read all the posts so don't know if someone has recommended all ready but I found using a supplement with a probiotic in invaluable in keeping the weight on my old boy as when they get older they can't digest / asorb the food properly.

Might be worth a go as she certainly looks happy and bright.

My old boy let me know when it was time as he went off his food, the vet was called and we were told that his organs had started to decay and if not PTS would start fitting in around 12 hrs ..... obviously could not let that happen to him so the decision was made. He was however 43 so had a good life and certainly for the last 10yrs had been pampered and well taken care of.
 
I really feel for you because it is something I had to go through but it was at the beginning of the winter. We kept putting off making any decision and thought my first pony would make that decision for us (he was 37 at the time and we had had him from a foal). One day he fell over and just couldn't get up which made me feel really guilty as that was horrible to see. He did deteriate very quicky and in hinesite we should have 'done the dreaded deed' a month earlier. What I'm trying to say is I think you will know in your heart when it's the right time and you just need to have the courage to make that decision. It's never easy ...
 
Hi Boodle

You really will know. I spent 5 years agonising over the same decision - each winter, she'd look awful and then pick up and look great in the spring.

Eventually I realised the time had come, and asked my vets opinion. He recommended 6 weeks to give her some nice time in the field. She recovered again, and had a wonderful 3 more months before beginning to drop off again, and I made the decision.

It sounds like your girl is still doing really well, and I wouldn't worry too much about what she looks like. It has been a much longer, wetter, winter than last year, so her usual "recovery" time might be longer than you expect.

Don't write her off yet - unless something dramatic happens in the meantime, I'd see how she looks after a couple of months of decent weather. If she still hasn't picked up, then maybe her time has come. But at least she'll have had a nice spring/summer in the paddock.
 
I think she looks really good for her age and you are doing everything you can to make here life really happy
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I am so pleased that the responses are all positive, as I have seen others like this that have made me so sad.

It also really heartens me to see how much knowledge and understanding all of you have
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I too will have to make a decision, hopefully not for a long time, as my old chap is only nearly 27 and is much loved and cared for like your girl too
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I will be keeping this post as it is an inspiration .... and will read it again, it I need a reminded that there are lots you out there that I can turn to for help and support
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PS And I bet you that she is like us oldies on here .... we are a young person looking out from an old persons face
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Totally agree with what henryhorn said. I think she'll let you know when its time TBH.

I really feel for you, I have a 20yr old and an 18yr old and its bad enough just to see them begin getting old. I hate the thought of having to eventually make the decision, but of course know that it will come. Have had both ponies from when they were 3 and 5 so it'll be 2 devastating decisions. I plan to have them let me know when its time.

Have you tried taking her out for walks? I know it sounds weird, but I still occassionally take my 20yr old for a little hack and he loves it - it perks him up for days! And my little 18yr old I lead out sometimes and again, she is so happy she bucks all over the place. It seems to give them a bit of interest which I think is the biggest thing for veterans.
 
I've had my old girl 10yrs and this is the first year I've had trouble keeping weight on her. She's a native and never required feed since being retired. Like yours she lives out but with access to a stable at night and has had ad lib hay throughout winter. We had to put her onto conditioning cubes this winter. I think the weather has been hard for them this year. The rapid changes in temperature has caused some problems. I'd give your girl some time, let her enjoy the summer and see whether she picks up. It might just be she's as fed up as the rest of us with this weather!
 
Vet didn't want to bother her too much, he has previously done some tests for problems she's had. But he didn't want to do anything that could knock her for six. And said that she was just a typical old pony, he has known her longer than we have.
Thanks for your advice, I think I might chat to my vet about it.
xx
 
Thanks for that advice. I had considered that about the wormer actually, but she never seems to alter her condition or her general self when she is wormed. I don't think it is causing her anyproblems. Though again, it is definitely something to consider and maybe something to discuss with vet?

Winergy sounds like a good plan. I might have to find that number and see what they have to recommend.

Thank you.
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That's a very good idea actually.
I've never had to make the decision due to age (two we've lost, one went due ot lami/navicular, the other went down in August with heart failure at 36 and we simply helped him along). I think emailing EMW might help, as they will have so much experience.
I think tatty is the right word for her!
Thanks for your reply.
x
 
I certainly have and will.

Second chance king, what a name. It is somewhat reassuring to know it is very obvious when enough is enough.
Thank you.
x
 
I like to think she's cute, with those little bug eyes. lol.

She certainly seemed happy bouncing about the village on the end of a lead rope today. New lease of life in the warmth!

Thank you for your reply.
xx
 
I'm sorry to hear of your boy, I was saddened to read he had to be put down. But obviously the right decision.

Thank you for the offer of the PM, might have to take you up on that one!
xx
 
*takes note*
Top spec fibre plus.
I will remember that!

Your boy sounds like a right character, and what an age! He sounds a very lucky boy to have you, being so resourceful! Lol.

I do hope he might manage another year.

Thanks for replying.
x
 
I have the same decision has you soon to make ,at the moment my oap is great,she is fed on high fibre nuts/sugar beet and barley rings.she had done really well this year alot better then i thought she would,i think i always will know when the time is right to say good bye,i had to make the decision on,another of my old pony 3 yrs ago,found him in the field,unable to get up,phoned the vet,an hour later he was gone,with him it was the look in his eyes that told me,its an hard decision but like others said you will know the time his right,sorry im rambling.
 
Lol yes, I think I take too many photos of her. Not brave enough to look through them and see how she's dropped off however!

Luckily for me Trixie doesen't seem to have much in the way of withers! And hasn't ever had sores on them, which I am glad of. Her HW rug does however rub the fluff on her shoulders off which bothers me. But if i try to put a vest on her coat becomes matted and irritated.

Thanks brighteyes, you are so very appreciated, you have no idea!
xx
 
Oh yes, the grass has certainly jumped just the past few days hasn't it?! The horses winter field has suddely gone from a mud bath to lush green!

Thanks for your advice, I hope your TB gets the weight back on soon. I'm sure she will.
xx
 
Love the phrase "cantankerous b*gger", luckily Trix is as sweet as they come. But the quirky ones are always fun!

I think the "soaked to porridge" route is the way to go with her. Sometimes I think she gets tired of trying to eat hard feed though and wanders away from it, which can cause problems.

Thanks for your advice, i'll try not to worry too much over it.
xx
 
Wow, that sounds to have happened very quickly. Glad you could make the decision before he was suffering though.

Will try and get a probiotic into her. During the summer it tends to be that her droppings consistency alters and they become far more loose, but she tends to keep the weight better which is odd.

Probiotic definitely something to look for.

Thank you,.
x
 
Thanks for your reply.
Sorry to hear you feel you had left it too late. Sounds like you cared for your oldie very much.

I do hope I can have the courage, I'm sure if I don't my Mum will, or vice versa. It's good to have the two of us to decide together.

Thanks for your reply.
x
 
Thanks for your reply Rana.
It's nice to hear your oldie managed 3 months after the "decision" was semi made. Sounds like she had the best care.

I have been pondering over it with Trixie since 2005 when she first really dropped off in the winter, before then i'd never seen her remotely thin!

This winter has been rough in hinesight.

Thanks for your advice. I think your right in saying the summer will tell if she can manage. I will see how she picks up.

Thanks for your reply.
xx
 
Great reply Eaglestone.
It is so nice to have everyone there as support and to give advice when you have an oldie that you're not sure whether you are doing the best for.
May I recommend brighteyes as someone always to turn to, she has been absolutely fantastic with me and all my worries.

After Trixie's performance in dragging me up the garden today I feel she is most certainly a young madam in that old body!

Thanks for replying.
xx
 
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